Salsa Chicken Recipe with Video!

May 24, 2017

According to the National Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. With over 100 types of arthritis and no known cure, physical therapy, medication and lifestyle changes, such as healthier eating and recipe preparation modification, are the best defenses to a condition that impacts many people.

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints; which is the body’s immune response to protect and heal us from infection and foreign substances. Chronic inflammation results in long-term tissue destruction and may be the underlying basis to hosts of chronic diseases such as some cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s’ disease, and arthritis.

Reduce Inflammation From The Inside Out

You can start now to work against the inflammation from the inside out by eating nutrition-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, lean protein, healthy oils and fatty fish. Several nutrients found in these foods may be specifically important in helping to reduce inflammation, such as the antioxidants Vitamin C, Carotenoids and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Protein helps to ensure growth, to repair body tissue, and to maintain a healthy immune system. Without enough protein, the body can take longer to recover from illness and you can have a lower resistance to infection. Low in calories, lean protein is helpful for weight loss by helping satisfy hunger and stabilize blood sugar, keeping you from grabbing junk food.

Keeping a healthy weight is especially important for those suffering with arthritis as extra body weight bears extra pressure on the joints. Losing excess weight will help alleviate pain from this extra pressure, especially in hip and knee joints.

The health benefits of consuming the recommended amount of fiber are numerous, including heart health, reducing cholesterol, and even decreasing the risk of some cancers. Because of the laxative effect, fiber helps reduce digestive problems such as constipation, as well as helping to keep a healthy weight. Because high fiber foods are often low-fat, low-calorie foods they provide bulk in the diet, helping one feel full without extra calories.

Although research isn’t always conclusive, we do know that overall diets high in anti-inflammatory foods have lower age-related chronic disease incidence. And this makes sense as the same foods that have been touted as healthy – fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and lean meats – are also thought to have anti-inflammatory effects.

Also, important are simple recipes that don’t require a lot of prep time. Standing and chopping can be hard on joints.  This Salsa Chicken Recipe is an example of a simple recipe I created that has minimal preparation but is big on flavor!

Salsa Chicken Recipe

Whip up this quick Mexican chicken dish with salsa plus four ingredients. It contains ingredients that will help you or your loved ones that struggle with arthritis to help fight inflammation and relieve arthritic pain.

Makes 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups salsa
• 1 cup nonfat sour cream
• 1 (1-ounce) package low-sodium taco seasoning
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
• Cilantro or green onion, chopped, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat oblong glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, mix together salsa, sour cream, and taco seasoning.
3. Place chicken into prepared dish. Pour sauce over chicken and bake 45 minutes or until chicken is tender. Sprinkle with cheese and cilantro or green onion, if desired.

Nutritional Info Per Serving

Calories 238; Carbohydrates 15 grams; Fat 5 grams; Protein 29 grams

Terrific Tip: Look for containers of fresh salsa in the produce section of the grocery but salsa in a jar works fine.

Nutrition Nugget: Did you know that 1/2 cup of salsa equals one serving of vegetables? All the more reason to dig in!

Serving suggestion:  An an option, you can serve over rice to take advantage of the tasty southwestern sauce.

The Salsa Chicken recipe is from the No Fuss Foods Chapter in Eating Well To Fight Arthritis that contains recipes with foods to help fight inflammation and relieve arthritis pain.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg was a culinary expert on easy and healthy recipes. She appeared on Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, QVC, The 700 Club, USA Today, Cooking Light Magazine, Web MD, & Huff Post. She consulted for Walmart, Teflon, Coca-Cola Company, & U.S. hospitals. Team Holly has the privilege to continue to share Holly's passion for healthy cooking with her Trim and Terrific recipes & to keep her legacy going for gastric cancer awareness. See more recipes by Holly!

Recipe Disclaimer: If you have specific dietary restrictions, allergies or a nutrition plan that you are following, make sure to read the ingredient list prior to consumption. All information on ObesityHelp.com is intended for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional. Please contact a medical professional with any questions and concerns.

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